Saudi Arabia prepares for holy month with measures to ensure public safety

Authorities in Saudi Arabia have announced a series of measures designed to ensure safety and security in the kingdom’s mosques during Ramadan, which is expected to begin today.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs revealed iftar banquets will not be held inside mosques this year to help keep places of worship clean. Designated sites will instead be set up outside mosques, with imams taking the responsibility of ensuring that those areas are cleaned up quickly after people have eaten.

There is an exception, however, as officials said iftar will continue to be served in the holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah.

The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque have launched an online portal where requests for permits for providing iftar banquets may be submitted.

The range of the Grand Mosque’s 5G network has been extended to cover the Well of Zamzam and the basement of the King Fahd expansion.

The upgraded network is expected to improve the transmission quality of religious lessons, which are broadcast live on the Manarat Al Haramain digital platform.

Ten wheelchair stations will be available inside the Grand Mosque during Ramadan this year, with assistance to worshippers provided around the clock.

Free wheelchair services are provided for the elderly and people with disabilities inside the circumambulation (Tawaf) area in the mosque.

More than 13,500 cleaning staff and about 700 pest control specialists will be on hand to maximise hygiene throughout the site in Makkah.

In Madinah, the General Authority has replaced the carpets in the Prophet’s Mosque.

A fleet of 200 modern buses will transport pilgrims to and from the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah throughout the month of Ramadan.

The Madinah Region Development Authority said this will cut traffic congestion and harmful emissions, while creating pedestrian-friendly areas around the mosque.

Saudi social media channels were busy yesterday as sighting committees met across the kingdom to look for the crescent moon.